Justin Verlander Likely to Make Mets Debut Next Week in Detroit

Help is on the way for New York’s beleaguered rotation.

As hard as it is to believe, six years have passed since Mets pitcher Justin Verlander last wore a Tigers uniform.

With Detroit, Verlander became one of the most decorated pitchers in franchise history. He won a Rookie of the Year, Cy Young and MVP award, and ranks in the top 10 in Tigers history in wins and strikeouts.

Now, Verlander is reportedly on track to debut with the Mets in the stadium where it all began—Comerica Park, where Detroit and New York will play a three-game set from May 2–4. The future Hall of Famer's rehabilitation from a teres major strain suffered in spring training is nearly complete.

Verlander struck out six in 4 2/3 innings in a rehab start with AA Binghamton Friday afternoon, surrendering two hits and walking a batter while allowing no runs.

“It’s good to get him up close to 70 (pitches),” Mets manager Buck Showalter said. “We’ll see where we go from there, see how he recovers tomorrow. But so far, so good.”

Despite being beset by pitcher injuries and Max Scherzer's untimely suspension, New York is 15–11 and two games behind the first-place Braves in the NL East.